Rescuing illegally exploited animals<\/p>\n
Recently, along with friends, I visited a typical pasar malam
\n(fair) in a small town in West Java. A screened-off area,
\nsurrounded by placards promising various unlikely "wonders",
\naroused our curiosity.<\/p>\n
We paid at a booth and entered ... and our positive mood
\nevaporated. The exhibits included filthy, cramped cages
\ncontaining miserable animals. Among these, we noted orangutans, a
\nsun bear, even an African lion. The animals were poked with
\nsticks to entertain the visitors.<\/p>\n
Even though I was confident that what we were seeing was
\nillegal, I was unsure what to do. Was it worth making a fuss? Who
\nwould have listened?<\/p>\n
On advice, I contacted a local non-governmental organization.
\nWithin a day they visited the fair and agreed a plan with local
\nauthorities to confiscate the illegal animals (to a rescue center
\nnear Sukabumi, West Java). I received an acknowledgement saying,
\n"Thank you for your information. You saved two baby orangutans,
\none sunbear, one Cocato galerita, one Lorius lory and one African
\nlion". I feel good about that, although PROFAUNA deserves the
\nreal credit.<\/p>\n
The purpose of this letter is to share the good news that
\ninformation can make a difference.<\/p>\n
(People with information should contact PROFAUNA at
\nwww.profauna.or.id or by e-mail at profauna@indosat.net.id or
\nprofaunajkt@indo.net.id or by phone on 7696582 or 0816 1363474.)<\/p>\n
DOUGLAS SHEIL
\nBogor, West Java<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rescuing-illegally-exploited-animals-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}